The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says revoking licenses of some health providers operating under the scheme is the best punitive measure for their shoddy service and criminal conduct. Two hospitals in Kumasi, Atasomanso and County hospitals had their licenses revoked for a period of three months for providing poor quality care, over billing, double billing and irrational prescriptions. But some observers say patients within the catchment area will be the worst affected, largely because they will have inconveniences finding alternative health care providers who are under the National Health Insurance cover. But Akwasi Akwah, Head of Public Relations at the National Health Insurance Authority in an interview with Joy FM’s Super Morning Show host, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the punitive measure is in the interest of the patients. He argued that some of the hospitals gave out four different kinds of antibiotics to same patients at the same time, as part of the “irrational prescriptions” indulged in by the health providers. “This is not the kind of prescription a qualified hospital or pharmacy should provide,” he said. “We are going to save citizens from poor quality services, and at the same time ensure the sustenance of the scheme,” he added. He said the affected hospitals will also suffer huge loses in terms of customer base for the three months that they have their licenses revoked. Whilst sympathizing with patients for the inconvenience any revocation will cause, he said the best alternative for patients will be to move to the nearest health care provider who are ready to operate under the guidelines of the NHIA. He maintained that the authourity is also engaged in an internal audit system to fish out personnel of the scheme who are conniving with the health providers to defraud the scheme. At the moment, the General Manager and accountant of the Ga District Health Insurance Scheme have been made to step aside for a forensic audit into their activities. Mr Akwah said they will be dealt with if found culpable for any wrong doing. Listen to excerpts of the interview with Mr. Akwah in the attached audio. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana